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Target to meter shopper traffic as coronavirus safety measure

All store, distribution center workers to receive face masks and gloves

Russell Redman

April 3, 2020

3 Min Read
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Occupancy limits at Target will vary by location and be determined by a store’s square footage to enhance the average space per person and mitigate the possibility of congestion.Target

Starting Saturday, Target Corp. plans to limit customer traffic in all of its stores to promote social distancing during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Target said that, effective April 4, it will monitor the customer count in its 1,868 stores and, as needed, meter the number of shoppers inside. If a store’s traffic requires limitation to increase customer spacing, a Target associate will set up a designated waiting area outside with physical distancing markers, while another associate will guide shoppers inside the store and keep checkout moving quickly and conveniently, the Minneapolis-based retailer explained.

Occupancy limits will vary by location and be determined by a store’s square footage to enhance the average space per person and mitigate the possibility of congestion, according to Target.

In addition, over the next two weeks, Target will supply its more than 350,000 employees in stores and distribution centers with face masks and gloves as a safeguard against COVID-19. Staff will receive the masks and gloves at the start of every shift, the company said, adding that it will “strongly encourage” employees to wear them while working. Personal shoppers for Target’s Shipt same-day delivery service also will be offered gloves and masks to wear as they enter stores.

Related:Target scales back store remodels, openings due to COVID-19

Target will provide all team members in stores and distribution centers with high-quality, disposable face masks and gloves to wear at the beginning of every shift and strongly encourage that they be worn while working. Shoppers with Shipt, the same-day delivery service owned by Target, also will be able to obtain masks and gloves at stores across the country. All stores and distribution centers will receive face masks and gloves within the next two weeks.

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“We’re incredibly proud of the commitment our more than 350,000 frontline team members have demonstrated to ensure millions of guests can count on Target, and we’ll continue to focus our efforts on supporting them,” Target Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer John Mulligan (left) said in a statement. “The measures we’re announcing today are aimed at ensuring we are creating a safe environment for the guests who continue to turn to Target, while also providing our team with additional resources as they fulfill an essential service in communities across the country.”

Yesterday, Target also announced it will donate another 2 million KN95 respirator masks to the medical community, as well as continue to explore ways to secure more inventory for those in critical need. The company previously had donated anti-viral and N95 respirator masks to first responders and health care professionals at more than 50 organizations nationwide.

Related:Target accelerates omnichannel game plan

Other COVID-19 safety measures Target has enacted include more rigorous cleaning routines at stores and distribution centers; floor signage to signal customers and employees to stay six feet apart; plexiglass partitions at all registers; contactless order pickup and home delivery; and asking workers to stay at home if they are sick.

To support employees as they keep stores, DCs and other operations running during the health crisis, Target has invested more than $300 million in pay and benefits. That includes higher hourly wages ($240 to $480 per employee) for frontline workers through at least May 2; first-time bonuses to the 20,000 team leads who manage individual departments in stores; waiving the absenteeism policy; quarantine pay for 14 days; confirmed illness pay at 100% for 14 days; and backup care available to all staff.

The retailer also is offering workers age 65 and older and pregnant employees fully paid leave for up to 30 days and, for all frontline employees, dedicated shopping hours to buy food and daily essentials for their families.

For our most up-to-date coverage, visit the coronavirus homepage.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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